The Sun Valley Primary School Choir has a beautiful new song to share for World Mental Health Month called “I Will Make A Difference”.
South Africa (17 October 2023) – October is Mental Health Awareness Month, and there’s no better way to spread a message of hope than with the hearts and voices of children. The choir from the Sun Valley Primary School share their message through song, to make a difference.
When Sun Valley Primary’s music teacher Janet Pienaar received a request for the school’s choir to perform at the Community Mental Health Convention, she saw it as an opportunity to create an original piece of music that would inspire and uplift everyone who heard it.
‘I will make a difference’ is Pienaar’s musical interpretation of the Ryff Scale of psychological well-being.
“I wanted to incorporate all the elements of mental health included in the Ryff Scale into the song:
1. Autonomy – I have confidence in my opinion
2. Personal growth – the importance of having new experiences
3. Positive relations with others
4. Environmental mastery – being in charge of my situation
5. Having a purpose in life
6. Self-acceptance”,
Pienaar joined SVPS two years ago after retiring from Rustenburg Girls Junior School, where she taught music for 10 years. At that time the school had no music programme.
Sun Valley Principal Coralie Thompson says, “In less than two years Janet has established a junior and senior choir at Sun Valley, an orchestra, and every single learner now has a weekly music lesson. We are so proud of the growth and success of our young musicians. But the biggest achievement is how much they enjoy it”.
The choir will be performing on Friday afternoon 20 October at CMC 23.
They shared their performance of the new song for the school recently and shared the lyrics with Good Things Guy too.
I WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE – By Janet Pienaar
I will make a difference
I will make a difference
I will make a difference in this world
I will use my brain, let my thoughts unfurl
Let my life shine bright like a priceless pearl
Grab the gift of life with both of my hands
I will not hide away but boldly stand
I’ll boldly stand
I’ll boldly stand
I will make a difference
I will make a difference
I will make a difference in this world
There is one of me, valuable, unique
My opinion counts plus the words I speak
I will treat my friends with respect and love
Give my time and skill over and above
I’ll live with purpose and with love
I will make a difference
I will make a difference
I will make a difference in this world
I’ll make a difference